Coopers turns 150 and launches new beer

Is there any better way to celebrate an anniversary than organising a week-long party and drinking a cold beer? Probably not, at least for Coopers Brewery, the Australian beer maker which is controlled by the eponymous family.

Is there any better way to celebrate an anniversary than organising a week-long party and drinking a cold beer? Probably not, at least for Coopers Brewery, the Australian beer maker which is controlled by the eponymous family.

The Adelaide-based brewery, which was established in 1862 and is now the country's largest Australian-owned beer producer, is getting ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary and will launch a new ale to mark the occasion.

Called Celebration Ale, the beer is made using three different types of hops from Australia, New Zealand and the US – something that makes it “slightly more bitter than other Coopers ales”, fifth-generation and chairman Glenn Cooper said in a statement.

Its launch has been timed to coincide as closely as possible with the day founder Thomas Cooper made his first commercial brew on 13 May 1862, added Tim Cooper, who is Glenn’s cousin and serves as managing director.

Although Celebration Ale has been specifically brewed to mark the company’s anniversary, Coopers may decide to continue its production, if it proves popular.

But the new beer is not the only way the Cooper family will celebrate the milestone. Special parties have been organised for the company’s shareholders, 90% of which are family members, and for its trade suppliers and employees. A public event for about 1,000 people will round off the celebration spree on 27 May.

The anniversary is not the only thing Coopers has been celebrating in the past few months. Following the takeover of rival Foster’s, it became the largest Australian-owned brewery in September. The company was also voted family business of the year by CampdenFB’s readers, beating popular companies such as Danish toymaker Lego and cosmetic giant Estee Lauder.